Honda’s Karl Muggeridge was forced to retire because of some technical problems in lap 6 of the 21-lap race here at Imola in Italy.

It was for sure not a happy weekend for Muggas and the team, first Muggas injured his left knee in the first qualifying session and had to stop after 7 laps and then in Saturday’s Final qualifying the track was wet an no laps could have been done to improve the settings of the Honda UK CBR.

So it was difficult to go into the race today, with barely any practice and no directions for set-up.

Muggas comments: “It was impossible to carry on with the race, since the breaks were not working and I kept running into the other guys, plus the bike set-up was nowhere near to be close. I don’t really know what to say, I’m glad I can forget about that season now and start fresh next year!

I will be off testing the new CBR 600 RR at Sugo in October and then in November we start the big winter test schedule with Ten Kate Honda. I can’t wait to get on that bike and am really looking forward to riding for the team that just became Supersport World Champion this weekend.”

Katsuaki Fujiwara dominated the race from start to finish but still couldn’t grab the title, which went to Ten Kate Honda rider Fabien Foret by 3 points. 2001 World Champion Andrew Pitt missed out on 4th place in the Championship by falling off on oil ob Corradi’s blown up engine.